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Open Houses

By
Real Estate Sales Representative

This time of year reminds me of one of the best and worst open houses I ever did.  My clients were moving immediately and I was in charge of selling the house.  Except they forgot to clean the house prior to leaving and I forgot to check it myself.  What a surprise I got on Sunday at 12:30 for  my 1 oclock open house.  This home was a legal two family or mother and daughter .  It was by far the biggest and home that I ever listed and still to this day the most expensive.  But, it was a mess.  Clothes , food ,trash, dishes and every room needed to be vaccumed.  I called my broker she said you cannot cancel its in the paper.  I was embarrassed and doomed all at the same time.  Oh I forgot to mention the trash and several items left in the garage. 

 So at about 1 oclock the fun started with the first visitors to the open house.  They were in shock but at the same time said they understood,  On that day I had about 5 visitors come to the open house.  In between cleaning and throwing things away i managed to get some things accomplished.  4 months later and 2 days of cleaning by hired cleaning lady this home finally sold.  But , it by far was almost enough to make me stop doing open houses all together.  It was the best open house I ever did because it taught me how to prepare for them and to never be caught off quard .  You only get one chance to make a good first impression to many of our clients. 

Thank You for caring and sharing, all open house stories are welcomed.

Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor
Oh geesh Kevin...I've done a ton of Open Houses and I can't say thats every happened to me.  I've definitely shown houses that look like that though.......and I have to shake my head....Anyhow wadda guy for cleaning it up and getting the job done!
Apr 14, 2008 05:31 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Kevin, Good job getting the house sold, we haven't had experiences like that.  I have shown houses where there floor in several rooms was invisible due to the foot and a half of old clothes and trash.  I guess, that is what makes this an entertaining and exciting profession!

Apr 14, 2008 05:37 PM
Earl Sorrells-Palmdale
Coldwell Banker Hartwig - Palmdale, CA
"The Pearl", Rosamond, Lancaster
Kevin, wow!  That is quite the story.  I have had places that I couldn't do opens at, due to the place being a mess, and the client not willing to get things taken care of.  They even let the front yard die.  Needless to say, I never did sell it.  I always show up about 30-45 minutes early, but in your case, that wouldn't help any.  Did you end up selling it?   I am glad you didn't give up.  You have to flow with the punches, in this business.
Apr 14, 2008 05:41 PM
Nancy Brenner
Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA
Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent
The Open Houses that I hold are in trashed foreclosed houses.  No power, no water.  Dark and usually stinky.  I love seeing the look on folks faces when they walk in.
Apr 14, 2008 06:06 PM
Peter Wolf
Coldwell Banker - Valley Village, CA
You hit adversity and overcame.  That's something to be proud of in youself
Apr 14, 2008 06:16 PM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
Well i wish i could see the faces of the buyer's that came thru. As it was said before you faced adversity,kept your chin up and sold that baby. Kudos to you.
Apr 15, 2008 11:41 AM
Joel Weihe
Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS
Helping you to use your VA home loan benefits
The worst we've held so far wasn't dirty or stinky..... but had mounds and mounds and mounds of porno videos everywhere.  He had boxes of them open in the basement... video racks full of them in all the bedrooms.... it was horrible! Everywhere you looked was just blaring XXX at you. 
Apr 15, 2008 12:18 PM
Bart Whitmore
Keller Williams- Louisville - Louisville, KY
Real Estate Agent
Sounds like you had a real nice suprise waiting on you lol
Apr 15, 2008 12:31 PM
Sonya Rosser
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA
Wow, I better prepare myself for Sunday at 2:00.  Thanks for sharing.
Apr 15, 2008 02:07 PM